The race to win the 2001 Volvo Order of Merit ended in triumph for Retief Goosen in the glorious surroundings of Madrid two weeks ago, but the South African has two more important goals within his sights in another picturesque part of Spain this week.
Goosen goes into the 14th edition of the Volvo Masters Andalucia at Montecastillo Golf Club in Jerez bidding to add that prestigious title to his impressive 2001 list of US Open Championship, The Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and the Telefonica Open de Madrid.
But another appealing diversion from the serious business of winning the title and the 539,075 euro (£333,330) winner's cheque from a total prize fund of 3,234,480 euro (£2 million) is the race to win the stroke average crown in the Reuters Official Performance Data.
Remarkably, only a tiny percentage of a shot separates the two main contenders, Goosen, and the current stroke average leader, Padraig Harrington. Both men have completed 74 competitive rounds this season and Harrington leads with an outstanding average of 69.28 to Goosen's 69.31.
The stroke average category is one of seven to be determined from this year's Reuters Official Performance Data and promises to be a thrilling contest over four rounds which will bring together seven of the 13 past champions.
Last season, Pierre Fulke of Sweden made a massive leap forward in the Ryder Cup points list in his bid for a debut appearance in the 34th Matches at The De Vere Belfry. Along the way, Fulke produced The European Tour Shot of the Year - a majestic five wood at the 70th hole - to edge out Darren Clarke.
Clarke had also won at Montecastillo in 1998, 12 months after the inaugural champion at the Jerez venue, Lee Westwood, and a year prior to the popular Spanish victory of Miguel Angel Jiménez.
Other past winners in the field are Bernhard Langer of Germany, Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, and Zimbabwe’s Mark McNulty.
In keeping with tradition, the Volvo Masters Andalucia will boast one of the finest fields of the year for the end of season climax. Apart from the impressive list of champions, there are no fewer than 24 winners on The European Tour International Schedule in 2001 taking part.
